Brewing device with mobile capsule support

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a brewing device ( 1 ) adapted for preparing beverages, in particular aromatic beverages such as espresso coffee and similar, by means of mixing a pressurized flow with an edible substance contained in a capsule ( 2 ). Said brewing device ( 1 ) comprises a force transmission disposition ( 3 ), an injection disposition ( 4 ), a collection disposition ( 5 ) and a structural disposition ( 6 ), as well as a base support ( 7 ) provided on the downwards-oriented side of said injection disposition ( 4 ) and projecting beyond thereof so as to provide support to a downwards-oriented part of said capsule ( 2 ), whereby said base support ( 7 ) is provided so that can be moved together with said injection disposition ( 4 ), and moved relative thereto.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a National Stage of International Application No.PCT/PT2017/050010 filed Apr. 7, 2017, claiming priority based onPortuguese Patent Application No. 109303 filed Apr. 7, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to the field of systems for preparation ofaromatic beverages by means of brewing of a respective substance, inparticular systems with brewing devices adapted for collecting a capsuleinside thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art presents several brewing devices adapted for preparingbeverages, including aromatic beverages such as for example espressotype coffee, by means of mixing of a pressurized flow with a portion ofedible substance, and usually comprised in beverage preparationmachines.

In particular, there are known several solutions for solving the problemof supporting a capsule since it is introduced inside of said brewingdevice, in an open position, until said capsule is conducted to arespective collection disposition, for example in the form of a chamber,corresponding to a closed position of the brewing device. In general,the solutions whereby the capsule is moved in a piston-like arrangementand ejected by action of the gravity force seem to present greaterconstruction simplicity and operation reliability.

The document EP 2520203 A1 discloses a brewing device of the type of thepresent invention, and that presents pair or side retention elements ofthe capsule, configured as a kind of jaws and operated by means oftelescopic shafts so as to engage a rim part of the capsule.

The documents EP 2910155 A1 e EP 2283755 B1 disclose brewing devicesthat comprise a base support adapted for supporting an inferior side ofthe capsule introduced into the brewing device. In both cases said basesupports are configured as longitudinal projections provided as a singlepiece with the injection disposition.

The document EP 2717748 B1 discloses a brewing device that comprises abase support whose translation movement, between a further upstreamposition corresponding to the brewing device open, and a furtherdownstream position corresponding to closed, is limited by two retentionelements. In particular, a first retention element is provided upstreamin stationary connection with the structural chassis and a secondretention element is provided downstream, in stationary connection withthe capsule collection disposition. Moreover, the base support isprovided as a plate with a particular configuration.

The solutions known in prior art seem to present certain constrains interms of construction simplicity and operation reliability, inparticular referring to the capsule transport means towards inside of acollection chamber and out of it, in a disposition with a piston-likegeneral movement.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a brewing deviceadapted for preparing beverages, in particular aromatic beverages suchas for example espresso coffee, adapted for collecting a portion ofedible substance, optionally provided inside of a respective capsule nointerior, adapted so as to provide a reliable base support by simplemeans, of easy production, and associated with simple constructions, ofeasy assembly and reliable operation, in particular in what relates tothe transport of the capsule out of the brewing chamber and ejection outof the brewing device in a disposition with a generally piston-likemovement.

The aforementioned objective is attained according to the presentinvention by means of a system for preparing beverages according toclaim 1.

A related objective is to provide simple and compact force transmissionmeans that provide a reliable actuation of the brewing device.

Another related objective is to provide simple and reliable transportmeans of the capsule towards inside of a collection chamber, as well asa simple and reliable movement transmission disposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention shall hereinafter be explained in greater detail basedupon the preferred embodiments and Figures attached.

The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

FIG. 1: side view of an embodiment of brewing device (1) according tothe present invention, in an open position;

FIG. 2: view of the brewing device (1) along the A-A cut plane of FIG.1;

FIG. 3: view of the brewing device (1) along the B-B cut plane of FIG.2;

FIG. 4: posterior view of the brewing device (1) according to thepresent invention, including detail (on the right-hand side);

FIG. 5: view of the brewing device (1) along the J-J cut plane of FIG.2;

FIG. 6: side view of an embodiment of a brewing device (1) according tothe present invention, at a position corresponding to the injectiondisposition (4) displaced to an intermediary position downstream of theopen position;

FIG. 7: view of the brewing device (1) along the C-C cut plane of FIG.5;

FIG. 8: view of the brewing device (1) along the D-D cut plane of FIG.6;

FIG. 9: perspective view from underneath of an embodiment of a brewingdevice (1) according to the invention;

FIG. 10: longitudinal side view of an embodiment of a brewing device (1)according to the present invention, in an open position, showing theretention of the base support (7);

FIG. 11: longitudinal side view of an embodiment of a brewing device (1)according to the present invention, in a closed position, showing theretention of the base support (7);

FIG. 12: side view of an embodiment of the brewing device (1) accordingto the present invention, in a closed position corresponding to theinjection disposition (4) displaced further downstream;

FIG. 13: view of the brewing device (1) along the E-E cut plane of FIG.12;

FIG. 14: view of the brewing device (1) along the F-F cut plane of FIG.13;

FIG. 15: side view of an embodiment of a brewing device (1) according tothe present invention, in an intercalary position of the upstream returnmovement of the injection disposition (5);

FIG. 16: view of the brewing device (1) along the G-G cut plane of FIG.15;

FIG. 17: view of the brewing device (1) along the H-H cut plane of FIG.16;

FIG. 18: side view of an embodiment of a brewing device (1) according tothe present invention, again in an open position corresponding to theinjection disposition (4) displaced further upstream;

FIG. 19: view of the brewing device (1) along the K-K cut plane of FIG.18;

FIG. 20: view of the brewing device (1) along the L-L cut plane of FIG.19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of a brewing device(1) according to the present invention.

Said brewing device (1) presents a force transmission disposition (3)adapted so that can convert a swivelling movement around a firstrotation axis (I) into a translation movement along a longitudinal pathbetween an upstream position, corresponding to open position of thebrewing device (1), and a downstream position of the brewing device (1),and vice-versa. Said movement transmission disposition (3) comprises afirst actuation element (31), associated with a stationary shaft (32)provided stationary so that can rotate around a first rotation axis (I)and with first connection elements (33) provided mobile and so that canrotate around a second rotation shaft (II), and a second actuationelement (34) associated with said second rotation shaft (II), by meansof said first connection elements (33), and with a third displacementaxis (III), by means of second connection elements (35) provided infixed connection with the injection disposition (4), so that said secondconnection elements (35) can displace along respective supports (61)provided on the side faces of the structural disposition (6), fromupstream to downstream along the longitudinal direction of the brewingdevice (1), and vice-versa.

According to a preferred embodiment, said first actuation element (31)comprises a first part configured as a handle, a second part thatprovides connection to said first rotation axis (I) and a third partthat provides connection to said second rotation axis (II), whereby saidthree parts develop along mutually orthogonal directions. Said firstactuation element (31) is provided as an element in a generally “U”shape when seen sideways, comprising a first handle region, a secondregion of connection to said first rotation axis (I) and a thirdconnection region to said second rotation axis (II), whereby said partsdevelop along orthogonal regions. This configuration of said firstelement (31) provides a simple and effective actuation, so that arotation of the handle part directly drives a displacement along thelongitudinal direction of said brewing device (1).

According to another preferred embodiment, said first actuation element(31) comprises a first handle region and a second and third regionsprovided as an element in a generally “U” shape when seen in top viewand in a generally “L” shape when seen sideways.

Moreover, said stationary shaft (32) disposed on the first rotation axis(I), develops along the entire cross extension of said structuraldisposition (6) and is advantageously mechanically retained in only oneof the sides of respective engagement with said first actuation element(31).

As one can better observe in FIGS. 2 and 3, the brewing device (1)further comprises an injection disposition (4) provided in connectionwith said force transmission disposition (3) so that can be displaced ina piston manner along the longitudinal direction of the brewing device(1), between an upstream position where is further distanced and adownstream position where is adjacent to a collection disposition (5)arranged stationary at a downstream position and adapted for retentionof said capsule (2), and vice-versa.

The brewing device (1) further presents a structural disposition (6)that provides support for said dispositions of force transmission (3),injection (4) and collection (5). According to another preferredembodiment, said collection (5) and structural (6) dispositions areprovided as a single piece.

Moreover, as can be observed in FIG. 2, said injection disposition (4)presents capsule side supports (41) on both sides, for example providedas grooves with inside oriented openings and adapted to retain a portionof said capsule (2), for example a rim-like projection thereof.Moreover, and as can be observed in FIG. 3, said injection disposition(4) is associated to a base support (7) provided so that can be movedalong an engagement part (44) provided on the downwards oriented side ofsaid injection disposition (4).

As can be further observed in FIG. 3, said base support (7) is adaptedso that, when in its furthest upstream position, corresponding to saidopen position, projects beyond said injection disposition (4) therebyproviding support to a downwards oriented portion of said capsule (2).

According to a preferred embodiment, said base support (7) presents afirst upwards oriented surface, configured for example as a projectionon the top surface of said base support (7), adapted so as to providesupport for said capsule (2) during part of the movement thereof headingdownstream, and a second downstream oriented surface, configured forexample as a projection on the top surface of said base support (7), sothat said base support (7) can be pushed by the injection disposition(4) during part of the movement thereof heading upstream.

According to a preferred embodiment, and as can be better observed inFIG. 4, said base support (7) is provided so that engages in movablemanner under tight pressure on a corresponding engagement element (64),configured for example as projection or cavity of a rail-likeconnection, and provided on the downwards oriented side of saidinjection disposition (4), so that said base support (7) can be pushedby the injection disposition (4) during part of the movement thereofheading downstream.

Moreover, according to another preferred embodiment, said base support(7) further presents sideways projections (72) disposed so that saidbase support (7) is retained by a downstream retention part (63) of saidstructural disposition (6), during part of the movement of saidinjection disposition (4) and base support (7) heading downstream.

According to a first inventive aspect, the brewing device (1) presents abase support (7) provided as a piece associated with said injectiondisposition (4) so that can be moved jointly with it, and relativethereto, along at least two parts of the piston-like displacement pathof said injection disposition (4) between a further upstream position,corresponding to the open position, and a further downstream position,corresponding to the closed position, and vice-versa.

In fact, as one can compare in FIGS. 3 and 8, said base support (7) isinitially displaced together with said injection disposition (4),thereby providing support to the capsule (2) up until a position wherethe latter is already at least partially supported inside of thecollection chamber (51).

According to a preferred embodiment, in the movement heading downstream,that is in the movement providing closing of the brewing device (1), thebase support (7) pulled together with said injection disposition (4) asa result of the pressure tight connection with the latter,preferentially by means of a rail-like male-female connection, orsimilar.

With the continuation of the closing movement, as one can compare inFIGS. 8 and 14, said base support (7) is retained relative to thefurther forward movement of the injection disposition (4), so that whena closed position of said brewing device (1) is reached, said capsule(2) is completely introduced in the collection chamber (51) and is nolonger supported by said base support (7)—see in particular FIG. 12.

FIG. 9 shows the retention of the base support (7) by means of thesideways projections (73) provided so that they are retained bycorresponding retention parts downstream of the structural disposition(6), so that results a removal of support provided to the capsule (2) bysaid base support (7), during the part of the movement of said injectiondisposition (4) heading downstream where the capsule (2) is alreadysupported along a sufficient extension by said collection chamber (51).

Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, represented in FIG. 10,the first support surface (71) of said base support (7), presents aregion of projection on the edge relative to the remanding extension, inparticular a projection adapted so that can engage with a rim-likeregion of said capsule (2), thereby improving the retention thereof.

Moreover, according with a preferred embodiment, said base support (7)is connected to said engagement part (44) by means of a fixation element(74) along the direction transversal to the direction of opening andclosing movement of said brewing device (1), for example by means of ascrew, or similar, and by an elastic element (75), for example ofhelicoid spring type, so that there is a reinforcement of the frictionconnection to said engagement part (44), while also provided apossibility of rotation movement along a vertical plane so as toaccommodate the passage of said projection of first support surface (71)underneath of said injection disposition (4) when reaches a closedposition, as represented in FIG. 11.

During the opening movement of the brewing device (1), represented onFIGS. 15 to 20, the capsule (2) starts being pulled out of thecollection chamber (51) by means of said capsule sideways supports(41)—see FIG. 16, —this time without the capsule (2) being supported bysaid base support (7)—see FIG. 17, —so that when reaches a positionbeing completely removed—see FIGS. 19 and 20, —falls under the action ofthe gravity force.

According to a second inventive aspect of the present invention, saidcollection chamber (51) is adapted so that said capsule sidewayssupports (41) maintain a respective engagement with the upstream regionof the capsule (2) when the latter is completely introduced into saidcollection chamber (51)—see in particular FIG. 13, —so that can pullsaid capsule (2) upstream, out of the collection chamber (51), as soonas starts an opening movement heading upstream of the brewing device (1)from a respective closed position—see in particular FIG. 15.

According to the represented preferred embodiment, said capsule sidewayssupports (41) and said collection chamber (51) are for this purposeadapted so that said capsule sideways supports can be moved togetherwith the capsule (2) at least partially inside of said collectionchamber (51) until the furthest downstream position of the capsule (2),thus further keeping engagement with the capsule (2) when the brewingdevice (1) is in the closed position. It is thereby provided a simplerand more reliable construction of means for supporting the capsule (2),and in particular removing thereof out of the collection chamber (51),without the need of some type of movement of said sideways supports (41)relative to the injection disposition (4).

According to a preferred embodiment, said collection chamber (5)presents two successive chamber sections (511, 512) that presentdifferent dimensions, whereby a first upstream chamber section (511)presents an asymmetric cross-section. In particular, said collectionchamber (51) presents an asymmetric general form of circular cylindricalor frusto-conic type that presents a first upstream section (511) and asecond downstream section (512), whereby the cross-sections of saidupstream and downstream sections (511, 512) are different.

According to another preferred embodiment, and as can be better observedin FIG. 5, said first upstream section chamber (511) presents a crossdimension that is bigger along a horizontal plane than along a verticalplane along a first extension upstream in the longitudinal direction,and a similar cross dimension along both planes in a second extensionalong the longitudinal direction, so that said capsule sideways supports(41) can be moved inside of said first upstream chamber section (511)until reaching the closed position.

According to another preferred embodiment, said first upstream chambersection (511) extends along an extension in the longitudinal directionthat is at least similar as, preferentially bigger than, the extensionof a second downstream chamber section (512) in said longitudinaldirection. In particular, it is preferred when said second downstreamchamber section (512) presents a form and dimensions so as to fit inadjacent manner with the wall of the downstream region of the capsule(2), preferentially so as to provide a substantially liquid tightfitting in the downstream region of the capsule (2).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A brewing device (1) for preparingbeverages by mixing a pressurized flow with an edible substance providedinside of a capsule (2), said brewing device in an operational positiondefining a vertical direction relative to a base thereof, a longitudinaldirection along the base, and a sideward direction along the base andorthogonal to said longitudinal direction, whereby said brewing device(1) presents from upstream to downstream: a force transmitter (3)operative to convert a swivelling movement in a first direction around arotation axis (I), into a piston-like linear movement along adisplacement course in the longitudinal direction of the brewing device(1), between an upstream position where the brewing device (1) is open,and a downstream position where the brewing device (1) is closed, andvice-versa, an injector (4) operatively coupled to said forcetransmitter (3) and movable in a piston-like manner along thelongitudinal direction of the brewing device (1), between the upstreamopen position and the downstream closed position thereof, andvice-versa, a collector (5) arranged in a stationary manner at thedownstream position and adapted for retaining said capsule (2), saidcollector (5) comprising a collection chamber (51) with anupstream-oriented opening, and a discharge opening (52) providing adownstream fluid connection, a structural support (6) that providessupport to said force transmitter (3), whereby said injector (4)comprises side supports (41) adapted for supporting said capsule (2) andprovided in the sideward direction on both sides of said injector (4),said side supports comprising grooves developing along the verticaldirection and with openings extended inwardly along the sidewarddirection and adapted to retain a portion of said capsule (2) in theform of a rim-like projection, in a position aligned with anintroduction onto said collection chamber (51), and whereby saidinjector (4) further comprises a base support (7) provided on adownwards-oriented side of said injector (4) and extending beyondthereof in the longitudinal direction, so as to provide support to adownwards-oriented portion of said capsule (2), wherein said basesupport (7) is movable together with said injector (4), and retainablerelative to said injector (4), so that said base support (7) onlyprovides support to said capsule (2) along an upstream portion of thedisplacement course of injector (4).
 2. The brewing device (1) accordingto claim 1, wherein said base support (7) is movable together with saidinjector (4) along an upstream portion of said displacement course, sothat said support does not provide support to said capsule (2) when thecapsule is at least partially introduced inside of said collectionchamber (51).
 3. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, whereinsaid base support (7) is retained, by means of a portion of saidstructural support (6), on a region of said piston-like course of saidinjector (4) that corresponds to the introduction of at least most ofsaid capsule (2) inside of said collection chamber (51).
 4. The brewingdevice (1) according to claim 1, wherein said base support (7) engagesunder pressure in tight-fit manner, in a rail-like connection, with acorresponding engagement projection or cavity (44), whereby saidengagement projection or cavity (44) is provided on the downwardsoriented side of said injector (4), so that said base support (7) can bemoved by said injector (4) during a portion of the movement of saidinjector (4) heading downstream.
 5. The brewing device (1) according toclaim 1, wherein said base support (7) presents on its downstream edge afirst support surface (71) that is upwards oriented, presenting aprojection on the edge of the top surface of said base support (7),whereby said first support surface (71) is adapted so as to providesupport for said capsule (2), when said capsule (2) is introduced intosaid brewing device (1) and during a portion of a downstream headingmovement thereof.
 6. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1,wherein said base support (7) presents on its top surface a downstreamoriented second surface (72), configured as a cam or as a wedge, wherebysaid second surface (72) is adapted so that said base support (7) can bepushed by said injector (4) during a portion of the downstream headingmovement of said injector (4).
 7. The brewing device (1) according toclaim 1, wherein said base support (7) presents sideways projections(73) arranged for retention by a downstream retention portion (63) ofsaid structural support (6), during a portion of the movement of saidinjector (4) heading downstream.
 8. The brewing device (1) according toclaim 1, wherein said structural support (6) presents an upstreamretention portion (62) adapted so as to retain the movement of said basesupport (7) at a further upstream position thereof, in relation to themovement of said injector (4) heading downstream from said upstreamposition.
 9. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein saidcollection chamber (51) and said side supports (41) are adapted so thatsaid side supports (41) further sideways engage said capsule (2) in theextension of said displacement course where the capsule (2) isintroduced furthest downstream into said collection chamber (51), sothat said side supports (41) can pull said capsule (2) upstream, out ofsaid collection chamber (51), driven with the opening movement of thebrewing device (1) from its closed position.
 10. The brewing device (1)according to claim 1, wherein said collection chamber (51) and said sidesupports (41) are adapted so that said side supports (41) can be movedtogether with said capsule (2), at least until partially inside of saidcollection chamber (51), thereby maintaining supporting engagement withsaid capsule (2) in the extension of said displacement course where thebrewing device (1) is in the closed position.
 11. The brewing device (1)according to claim 1, wherein said collection chamber (51) presents ashape of circular cylindrical type or frusto-conical type, that presentsa first upstream chamber section (511) and a second downstream chambersection (512), whereby said second downstream chamber section (512)presents a form and dimensions adapted so as to fit, with the downstreamregion of the side wall of said capsule (2).
 12. The brewing device (1)according to claim 1, wherein said collection chamber (51) presents afirst upstream chamber section (511) that presents a cross dimensionthat is bigger along a horizontal plane than along a vertical planeextending in a first upstream extension along the longitudinaldirection, and a cross dimension that is similar along both horizontaland vertical planes extending in a second downstream extension alongsaid longitudinal direction, so that said side supports (41) can bemoved inside of said first upstream chamber section (511) until reachingsaid closed position.
 13. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1,wherein said collection chamber (51) presents a first upstream chambersection (511) that extends along an at least similar extension along thelongitudinal direction, as the extension of a second downstream chambersection (512) along said longitudinal direction, whereby said firstupstream chamber section (511) presents a cross opening that comprises afirst angular extension that develops along a constant diameter and asecond angular extension that develops sideways along a horizontal planeand extends beyond of said constant diameter, with dimensions adapted soas to collect said side supports (41) inside of said collection chamber(51).
 14. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sidesupports (41) are provided in stationary connection with said injector(4).
 15. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said forcetransmitter (3) comprises: a first actuation element (31), associatedwith a stationary shaft (32) provided stationary so that it can rotatearound a first rotation axis (I), and with first connection elements(33) provided mobile and so that it can rotate around a second rotationaxis (II), and a second actuation element (34) associated with saidsecond rotation axis (II), by means of said first connection elements(33), and with a third displacement axis (III), by means of secondconnection elements (35) provided in fixed connection with saidinjection disposition (4), so that said second connection elements (35)can be displaced along respective supports (61) provided on the sidefaces of the structural support (6), from upstream heading downstreamalong the longitudinal direction of the brewing device (1), andvice-versa.
 16. The brewing device (1) according to claim 15, whereinsaid first actuation element (31) comprises a first handle region and asecond and third regions provided as “U”-like shaped when seen fromabove and “L”-like shaped when seen sideways.
 17. The brewing device (1)according to claim 15, wherein said stationary shaft (32) extends alongthe entire cross extension of said structural support (6), is supportedin both edge regions and is mechanically retained in only one side. 18.The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said forcetransmitter (3) comprises a first actuation element (31) that presents afirst portion configured as handle, a second portion that providesconnection to said rotation axis (I), and a third portion that providesconnection to said second rotation axis (II), whereby said threeportions develop along orthogonal directions relative to each other. 19.The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said collector (5)and structural support (6) are provided as a single piece.